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US-90 and FL-100 junction in Watertown, FloridaPhoto: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 4.0
A−
Schools in Watertown · Columbia County School District

Watertown’s public schools outscore 75% of Florida districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Watertown, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.

#119of 638 Florida townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
53%
▲ 1 pts vs FL 52%
2021–22
Math proficiency
56%
▲ 4 pts vs FL 52%
2021–22
Graduate on time
92%
▲ 4 pts vs FL 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$10.8K
▼ 17% vs FL $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.1
FL 18.0
Schools in town
3
2,565 students on the public path
In brief

Watertown’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 144 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Watertown’s, its schools beat 92%, higher than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 53% and math 56% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $10,841 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

First Academy (private) and Springville Preparatory Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Watertown’s grade

B+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A−: better than 75% of Florida school districts, #119 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Florida average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Florida school districts we grade (76)Better than 75%
Lower resultsHigher results
Florida towns with similar household incomes (144)Better than 92%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,348 test results and a graduating class of 609 could put Watertown anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Watertown’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,179 in math, 5,518 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Watertown, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Eastside Elementary SchoolColumbia County School DistrictA−
6–122 schoolsDepends on your addressB− to B

Watertown’s public schools are run by Columbia County School District, which also serves Fort White and Lake City. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Columbia County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 15 schools · 9,508 students · 18.1 per teacher (FL 18.0)
$10,841FL $13,006 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading53%
State average 52.1% · 5518 students tested
Math56%
State average 52.2% · 5179 students tested

Watertown vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Watertown’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WatertownA−Columbia County
Lake CityA−Columbia County

Every school in Watertown

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Watertownby address
Eastside Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Lake City
A−
655 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Watertownin other towns
Fort White High School
High · Grades 6–12 · Fort White
B−
1,101 students17:1Rate it →
Lake City Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Lake City
B
809 students19:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
First Academy
Grades K–10 · Lake City
Private · Religious
19 students3:1Rate it →
Springville Preparatory Academy
Grades K–12 · Lake City
Private · Religious
12 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Watertown’s schools

Are Watertown’s schools good?

By Florida’s own tests, yes: the public schools Watertown children attend outscore 75% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #119 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Watertown in?

Columbia County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,508 students in 15 schools (2024–25).

What is Watertown’s graduation rate?

92% of the class of 2023 in Columbia County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.

How much does Watertown spend per student?

$10,841 in Columbia County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Watertown?

Yes: First Academy (religious, grades K–10, 19 students) and Springville Preparatory Academy (religious, grades K–12, 12 students).

Parents talk

What Watertown families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Watertown → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.